Spyder2 bashed by SmartShooter

I was actually thinking about bying Spyder2 but now I have concerns. Should I? What are your experiences with Spyder?

Unfortunately, the ColorVision / ColorSpyder line and it is not on our recommended list because we do not feel it holds up to pro level standards and the people who run this company are not the quality-minded professionals that we choose to work with here at shootsmarter.com- here's the facts on their older productsif you are looking to upgrade. Regarding the current Spyder2 kit, it's painfully slow and has a serious problem with inconsistant color in the shadow areas of your monitor. None of their products are considered acceptable in our opinion, and we suggest you switch over to any product on our list below ASAP?

No experiences, since I bought a Monaco Optix XR, based on that review amongst others.

Sounds like someone has a personal beef rather than a professional review... My Spyder works perfectly and I'm very happy with the accuracy... I'm also a professional and can tell the difference... for the money, it (the suite) can't be beat in my opinion.

While I don't have the benefit of comparison, I like my Spyder setup. Like amonline said, those words are a little harsh for someone that doesn't have some kind of grudge. Not exactly sounding professional there.

I bought the spyder 2 express a couple weeks ago

it seems to have done the job, but I had to calibrate twice because the first time it didnt work. what I also dont like is that for the price, 130cdn vs 106cdn huey, it doesn't adjust for ambient light.

how accurate it is, I don't know.

Yea, the more I read, the more immature the review really sounds. That's not very good practice for their site IMO. I have no interest in what they have to offer now.

I have the spyder2pro and have zero complaints.

Also, that review was from over 3 years ago... not to mention it was written about calibrating a 5 year OLDER CRT... I would never use a CRT for more than about 2 years max before updating - it's just common sense not to trust a CRT tube that long.

After reading the entire thing, I've come to the conclusion that ol' Crockett simply does not know what he's talking about and wants to argue with CV until he's got the last word. He doesn't even go into depth of his process or how he really comes to these conclusions. He simply wanted to argue and not listen to what they had to say. They told him that he may have had a defective unit for pete's sake.

I've had the spyder2express for 2 months now and I had some prints done in a pro photo lab. What I have on paper and on my screen is the exact same thing.

For 100 CAN$ I can't complain!

It's a very basic calibration system. It doesn't merform nearly as good as the monaco does. SmartShooter bashes it for a very good reason.

drycreekphoto reivew confirms it. It doesn't calibrate the highlights and blows them out in print ususally - hiding the subtle tonal gradations.

If you're happy with it then that is fine. Different people have different needs and expectations. I would trust their reviews and experience myself but I would also trust people make choices based on what they see and want.

Here is thre actual link to the March 2007 review:

http://www.shootsmarte​r.com/infocenter/wc026​a.htm

It's not like they are saying anything that isn't stated elsewhere from what I remember when I decided not to buy one ... after it being top of my list initially.

I use the Spyder2express, and it did a great job, the prints I got back from Mpix were perfect, they were too dark before I calibrated the monitor.

I bought an older Spyder off eBay, and as far as I'm concerned it did a great job of calibrating my several years old CRT. I was basically after something fairly inexpensive that would let me print what was on my screen. (That wasn't happening before the calibration.)

Well, I just ordered one a couple days ago, hopefully it does well!

But everything I've read about either Spyder2 or the Huey (the two I was looking at) the reviews by users are typically mixed... most saying it improved their colors.

The negatives I've seen are most likely because they
1) used it improperly (too much ambient light)
2) didn't disable other color management (adobe gamma, etc)
3) colors "didn't look right" following calibration. (many don't give eyes a chance to adjust to different color temp.)
4) want to adjust dual-monitors or other options not available at the "express" price.

But in everything I've read from sources such as popular photography and the like seem to rate the Spyder2 pretty high. I've never heard them say to avoid it.

I checked DryCreekPhoto, and they said it was a reccomended product... It said it has "exceptional" shadow performance, and the only downside was it didn't do as well with the highlights, showing some abrupt transitions... (don't think it ever said it completely blows them out.) The original Spyder, however, they said was not competitive.

René Damkot wrote in post #2886757
No experiences, since I bought a Monaco Optix XR, based on that review amongst others.

I'm also aming at Monaco, cost twice as Spyder2 express, but when I invest I like to make good decision.

Cheers
Vladimir